BY STAFF REPORTER
Africa is a continent characterized by its youngest population, with more than 453 million young people aged between the ranges of 15 to 35 years, studies indicate. As many people agreed; if the young people are empowered in a manner they can fully realize their potential; given opportunities to involve in countries’ development agenda and exploited accordingly, they are an opportunity for the continent’s growth.
In fact, increasing the participation of the young people in nations’ overall activities and putting them at the center of countries’ social, economic, political, environment, peace and security issues is not only enhancing inclusion, but it is also fundamental to address continent’s socio economic growth and peace and security matters.
In view of this, these days there are ongoing concerns and efforts to curb the challenges Africa encounters and realize its people-driven development goals, Agenda 2063, through investing on the potential of young population.
Recently, the first of its kind African Youth Summit was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (from October 29 to November 1, 2022) at AU Hall.
The Summit carried out with the theme “Integrated Africa – the Bridge of PM Abiy Ahmed,” aims at providing an opportunity for youth to share their experiences and best practices so that the African continent can use this untapped potential by improving the quality of life of young people, building their capacities and skills for the benefit of their respective countries. What is more, it targets to strengthen African youth fraternity, create a strong bond between the youths and further develop the concept of Pan-Africanism among Africans,
Opening the Summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, said that the youth of Africa have untapped potential that can determine the future of the continent. Investing on and empowering the young generation is decisive to tackle the challenges the continent encounters.
“We need to create a stronger Africa by passing on our past history of Pan-Africanism to the new generation,” he remarked.
According to Demeke, empowering and educating African youth is very essential to address the continent’s pressing challenges and to put the vision of an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous Africa in a solid base. The African Union should work for the development and benefit of the youth by using the good opportunities on the continent.
Mention government’s due attention in increasing the participation of youth in every stream, he said that through mobilizing the young people in voluntary services, under the national youth volunteer program, various encouraging outcomes are registered.
Demeke stressed that youth-centered strategic investment in education, health, energy, economic reforms and good governance is instrumental to address the continent’s multifaceted socio-economic, political, and security challenges.
“The event is designed to bridge our past experiences with our future leaders and to keep Pan-Africanism high on our agenda. Building upon this vision of African founding fathers, this Summit envisions becoming an important continental platform to appoint the youths across the continent with the ideas of Pan-African leadership.”
Noting the African Union has made several commendable youth development policies and programs, Demeke indicated that the continental body has established the African Youth Charter, the Youth Care Plan of Action, and the Malabo Decision on Youth Empowerment under the umbrella of Agenda 2063. “The successful realization of these programs needs to be our collective priority.”
Explaining Ethiopia’s experience, he said a National Youth Policy that recognizes the potential and actual contribution of the youth in the process of nation-building holds the central place in the ten-year national development plan. Ensuring youths’ participation in leadership and decision-making positions is one of the priorities of the policy.
Demeke also urged the African youth to play a vital role in shaping the continent’s future and realize their responsibility to secure the interests of the continent in the years to come.
African Union (AU) Deputy Commissioner Monique Nsanzabaganwa also said that the AU recognizes the youth population as a critical resource for the continent’s development. Intergenerational dialogues including the African Prospect Leaders’ Summit serve as a valuable platform for the empowerment of African young leaders.
According to her, trusting the youth and mainstreaming their issues across all policies and programs and taking their views through consultations are also very important. “We should access finance, jobs, markets, and public procurement opportunities. We must address them with leadership roles and take care of societies and the environment. Finally, we must protect them.”
The AU is committed to harnessing the youth potential as an opportunity for the continent to achieve its vision of becoming integrated, peaceful, and prosperous, she remarked.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2022
